Overview

Introduce the whole family to Sri Lanka’s cultural and natural beauty on this sensational 13-night escorted tour. Starting in Negombo and ending in Colombo, this wonderful trip fuses adventure, history and relaxation into one, offering something both kids and parents will love.

Whether it’s exploring colourful temples in Dambulla and visiting orphaned elephants in Udawalawe, or learning all about the country’s tea culture and looking for leopards in Udawalawe National Park, you’ll come home with so many incredible memories. Don’t forget dining with local families and unwinding on sparkling beaches too – this adventure is simply brimming (I).

Details

Day 1

Upon arrival in Negombo, you will have plenty of free time before your group welcome meeting at 6pm, where you will need your insurance details and next of kin information.

Overnight: Paradise Beach Hotel (or similar)

Day 2

Dambulla

After a delicious breakfast, you will drive three-four hours to Dambulla – a large town nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle. Here, your jaw will drop as you explore vividly decorated cave-temples, before wandering along to the Palwehera area to sneak a taste of its famous mangoes, and relax in your eco-friendly accommodation. The evening is free for you to rest.

Breakfast included.

Day 3

Giritale

The day will begin with a half hour drive to Sigiriya, the perfect spot to get some fresh air as you climb and walk to the top of the ginormous Lion Rock and explore its ancient fortress. Afterwards, you will journey to Giritale, where you can enjoy more free time.

Overnight: Giritale Hotel (or similar)

Breakfast included.

Day 4

Giritale

Tuck into a tasty breakfast, before enjoying a relaxing cycle around the Sri Lankan countryside, taking in the charming rural lifestyle and exploring the villages until a traditional Sri Lankan lunch.

In the evening, you will journey to Polonnaruwa, which was once the capital. This town is still thriving with religious and commercial scenes, making for a great evening of exploration.

Breakfast and lunch included.

Overnight: Giritale Hotel (or similar)

Day 5

Kandy

It’s an early start today. The Dambulla cave complexes and World Heritage Site the Golden Temple will surely take your breath away as you explore the five main caves, home to 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings, and four statues of gods and goddesses.

After this exploration, you will travel to Kandy, with a great stop at a spice farm to see how some of Sri Lanka’s important exports are refined. Once in Kandy, you’ll be treated to a traditional Kandyan dance show.

Overnight: Hotel Senani (or similar)

Breakfast included.

Day 6

Kandy

We’re certain you’ll fall in love with this charming city. Brimming with lively markets, quaint shops, a stunning lake and sensational restaurants, there’s much to do here. In the morning you will visit Dalada Maligawa (otherwise known as the Temple of the Tooth), which is home to the country’s most sacred relic – a tooth that is said to be Buddha’s.

Afterwards, you will move on to the spectacular Peradeniya Botanical Gardens to marvel at the incredible orchid collection and huge fig tree. We find that the kids love running around this luscious garden, and they also love learning the steps to authentic Kandian dancing with local performers in the evening.

You will need to take your hats and shoes off when entering the temple, but don’t leave them at the side of the road – otherwise a monkey will steal them. We’d recommend popping them into your rucksack or paying a small fee to store them with the shoe keepers.

Overnight: Hotel Senani (or similar)

Breakfast included.

Day 7

Kithulgala

This morning you will leave Kandy, travelling by bus to Kitulgala whilst gazing at hillsides shrouded in tea bushes along the way. Nestled in lush forest along the country’s second-longest river, Kelani, this small town has made a name for itself as a hub of adventure.

You’ll love swimming in the river, or there are plenty of other water activities to try during your stay – including white water rafting. You’ll also embark on a nature walk through Bandarakele in search of incredible wildlife, before heading to your rustic hotel for the evening.

Overnight: The Kithulgala Rest House

Breakfast included.

Day 8

Bandarawella

Start the day with a private bus ride to Nuwara Eliya, passing cascading waterfalls and pretty green hills on your two-hour trip. This old British hill station is considered the heart of the tea growing industry here in Sri Lanka, and is teeming with classic colonial charm. The area was once referred to as ‘Little England’, thanks to its mix of water buffalo and brick Victorian buildings, as well as the sprawling golf courses and tea plantations.

On your way to Nuwara Eliya, you will get the chance to marvel at the striking Devon and St Clair’s waterfalls. The first is a 97-metre-high waterfall deemed the most scenic in the country, whilst the latter is (perhaps exaggeratedly) named the ‘Little Niagara of Sri Lanka’.

Later in the morning, you will visit a tea factory to sample a few cups of tea and learn all about this important export, before boarding a train to Bandarawela.

Overnight: Orient Hotel (or similar)

Breakfast included.

Day 9

Bandarawella

Today is a slower and more relaxing day. A peaceful country town inhabited by tea plantation workers and their families, your day here will introduce you to the simple way of life, where children work with their grandparents to harvest crops and tend to the livestock.

Begin the day with a nice walk through the countryside, to see the tea pickers at work, ending with a delightful dinner of home-cooked Sri Lankan cuisine with a local family.

Overnight: Orient Hotel (or similar)

Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 10

Udawalawe

A hearty breakfast will set you up for the day. At 9am, you will drive around three hours to Uda Walawe National Park, a simply beautiful area brimming with wonderful wildlife and birdlife. With more herds of wild elephant than anywhere else in the country, there’s no doubt you’ll see these magnificent creatures wandering around.

The family will love visiting the Elephant Transit Home to learn more about this wonderful animal. Run by the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife Conservation, this is a brilliant shelter for orphaned or abandoned baby elephants to recuperate before being released into the wild. You’ll arrive at a viewing platform at feeding time to see the elephants up close, before hopping on a jeep for a safari through the park. Macaques, spotted deer, crocodiles, large monkeys and even leopard prowl these parts, giving everyone a thrill.

Overnight: Wild Trails Luxury Camp (or similar)

Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 11

Tangalle

After all the thrills on the last 10 days, we’re certain you’ll love this beach day. From 9am you will travel to the seaside town of Tangalle, where you can unwind on the pristine beach or lounge by your sparkling pool. The whole day is free for you to soak up the sun, until you’ll gather again for dinner.

Overnight: Portofino Hotel (or similar)

Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 12

Tangalle

Today is also at your leisure, with plenty of time to relax.

Overnight: Portofino Hotel (or similar)

Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 13

Colombo

After breakfast, you will journey towards Colombo, stopping for a wander around the Tangalle fish market en route. There’s also a chance to visit the Royal Dutch Fort in Galle, before arriving in Galle for lunch. From here, you’ll have a few hours to lounge around in the sun.

Overnight: Ozo Hotel Colombo (or similar)

Breakfast included.

Day 14

Tour ends

Today marks the end of your tour. There are no activities planned for today, so you can depart anytime.

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A detailed and varied private guided tour of this fascinating country with attractions such as Sigiriya and Kandy. This is a week of touring that you'll never forget, and with breakfast and dinner included & a choice of Standard 4* or Deluxe 5* accommodation throughout, all you'll need to do is sit back and enjoy the beautiful landscapes and culture Sri Lanka has to offer.

This exciting 5 night private guided tour gives you a taste of what Sri Lanka has to offer and includes visits to Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla Cave Temple and Kandy. Breakfast and dinner & a choice of Standard 4* or Deluxe 5* accommodation throughout is included in the price!

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